Recommended Reading
'Holding the bow' is a misleading term and can create tension right from the beginning. The violin is carrying the weight of the bow and the player is only 'guiding' it across the string .This concept immediately frees and relaxes the bowhand.It can be less offputting to the ear if the bow is placed on the left shoulder first until a loose bowhold and some relaxed bow movements are established :-)
Keeping the violin parallel to the floor i.e. making the scroll point towards the music is vital as it helps to prevent the bow from slipping.It can be fun to balance an object (marble,peanut etc.) next to the scroll on the peg box and walk around without letting it drop !
At first the bow should touch the string half way between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge (also referred to as soundpoint 3) It can be helpful to strap an elastic around the body of the violin to mark that place .
